Memorial day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer.
Ours began earlier this week when temperatures reached record highs.
Over the next few weeks many organizations will celebrate annual meetings. And the very busy months of May and June will come to a close, leading to a slower more relaxed July and August.
I am starting my weekend by attending my 7th Grade Jewish Day School reunion. We were 45 graduates who spent our elementary school years at the Jewish Peoples School in Montreal. The school's ideology was a Labor Zionist one, where Yiddish was the spoken language. Being in Montreal, we also learned French and of course Hebrew.
What a hoot it will be to see how we have all fared and how our lives have taken shape over these many years. It will also be interesting to see how our class has involved itself in the Jewish community.
Take care this weekend and stay safe!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Another full weekend in Worcester County
It must be May...lots of celebrations..graduations, annual meetings, receptions.
This weekend the community fetes Judy Shriber for 42 years of service as Temple Emanuel education director. Cantor Marina Shemesh of Congregation Beth Israel and cantors from around the country celebrate Jewish music on Sunday evening.
Community activist Lois Green, a member of our community who has devoted her life to improving the lives of so many, will be honored at the State of Israel Bonds reception. Lois had a book signing of her memoirs The Last Chapter at the Willows of Worcester yesterday. Scholar in Residence Rabbi Scott Saulson will speak to the community on Sunday May 23 on seniors issue. Sababa Musical Group visits B'nai Shalom on May 22 for a lively concert.
And of course we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot this Wednesday and Thursday, when many synagogues honor their confirmation students.
This weekend the community fetes Judy Shriber for 42 years of service as Temple Emanuel education director. Cantor Marina Shemesh of Congregation Beth Israel and cantors from around the country celebrate Jewish music on Sunday evening.
Community activist Lois Green, a member of our community who has devoted her life to improving the lives of so many, will be honored at the State of Israel Bonds reception. Lois had a book signing of her memoirs The Last Chapter at the Willows of Worcester yesterday. Scholar in Residence Rabbi Scott Saulson will speak to the community on Sunday May 23 on seniors issue. Sababa Musical Group visits B'nai Shalom on May 22 for a lively concert.
And of course we celebrate the holiday of Shavuot this Wednesday and Thursday, when many synagogues honor their confirmation students.
Friday, May 7, 2010
What's YOUR #ish? It has begun!
The Jewish Federation of Central MA today launched whatsyour#ish, an integrated online campaign that encourages young Jews of all stripes to share what being Jewish means to them – their #ish – while raising awareness of the work of Jewish Federations. The innovative project launch in partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) went online today with a series of humorous rich media ads, promotional videos on YouTube and pages on social networking sites (facebook and twitter) all intended to generate conversation on and traffic to the campaign dedicated website whatsyourish.com. For every #ish response JFNA will donate 25 cents to a $50,000 ish fund for charity.
GO TO whatsyourish.com >>
The fund will cover the core thematic needs supported by the Jewish Federation annual campaign including poverty, elderly care, Jewish identity, Israel solidarity and more. While highlighting the fact that being Jewish means different things to different people, the website also helps participants learn what being Jewish means to the work of Jewish Federations. To that end, participants are being invited to vote on how they would allocate the ish fund. “The ish fund campaign is a fun, innovative way for younger Jews to learn about the life saving work of the Jewish Federation.” said Howard Fixler, JFCM President. Along with the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts dozens of other Jewish Federations and partner organizations are actively participating in this initiative.
The Jewish Federation movement collectively represents one of the top ten charities on the continent. “What’s your ish really allows younger Jews to express themselves in a creative way while learning about their local Jewish Federations.” said Adam Smoyler, Senior Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Communications at JFNA. It’s a campaign that presents an authentic conversation by using online tools this group already uses.
GO TO whatsyourish.com >>
The fund will cover the core thematic needs supported by the Jewish Federation annual campaign including poverty, elderly care, Jewish identity, Israel solidarity and more. While highlighting the fact that being Jewish means different things to different people, the website also helps participants learn what being Jewish means to the work of Jewish Federations. To that end, participants are being invited to vote on how they would allocate the ish fund. “The ish fund campaign is a fun, innovative way for younger Jews to learn about the life saving work of the Jewish Federation.” said Howard Fixler, JFCM President. Along with the Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts dozens of other Jewish Federations and partner organizations are actively participating in this initiative.
The Jewish Federation movement collectively represents one of the top ten charities on the continent. “What’s your ish really allows younger Jews to express themselves in a creative way while learning about their local Jewish Federations.” said Adam Smoyler, Senior Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Communications at JFNA. It’s a campaign that presents an authentic conversation by using online tools this group already uses.